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After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

In a twist on the Superman mythos, the title character in Jim Valentino’s normalman (stylized in all lower-case letters) is shipped off into space by his father when he concludes that the planet they inhabit will explode. The child arrives on a planet inhabited completely by super-powered beings – they dub him normalman, because he’s the only one there without powers.

The character debuted in Cerebus the Aardvark #56 and was soon given his own ongoing series. That title served as a vehicle for creator, Jim Valentino, to spoof and parody other comics, a perfect opportunity (if ever there was one) to introduce cover swipes that parody the source material.

Superman #146 July 1961 Curt Swan, Sheldon Moldoff

normalman #1 January 1984 Jim Valentino

On Ebay: normalman | Superman
On Amazon: normalman | Superman
On AtomicAvenue: normalman | Superman

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Although the cover to Excalibur #49 credits Neal Adams (the cover artist of X-Men #56), it’s also a nod to X-Men #135. That issue is part of the Dark Phoenix Saga and the story featured in Excalibur #49 heavily involves the Phoenix Force. I think the most interesting part of this cover homage is that the Excalibur logo is destroyed here by Necrom and actually replaced in the very next issue with a new logo.

X-Men #56 May 1969 Neal Adams	X-Men #135 July 1980 John Byrne
Excalibur #49 April 1992 Alan Davis

On Ebay: Excalibur | X-Men
On AtomicAvenue: Excalibur | X-Men

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

After the events of the Fall of the Mutants, the world believed that the X-Men had died. Even past members who were no longer with the team were not aware that they were still alive. Two of these past members, Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde, found themselves joined by Captain Britain and Megan in their attempt to save Phoenix. Mojo had sent the Warwolves (a group of deadly shapeshifters – for lack of an in-depth examination of their powers) to capture Phoenix – this team-up led to the formation of Excalibur. In Excalibur #41, the team found themselves up against the recently-revealed-to-be-alive X-Men – only to discover that they were actually the Warwolves in disguise.

Excalibur: the Sword is Drawn 1987 Alan Davis

Excalibur #41 September 1991 Dave Hoover

On Ebay: Excalibur
On AtomicAvenue: Excalibur

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Todd McFarlane’s classic cover to Spider-Man #1 is probably one of the most-swiped covers in comics. The limited [print run: 2,000] auxiliary variant of No Hero #7 paid homage to this classic in 2009

Spider-Man #1 August 1990 Todd McFarlane

No Hero #7 (auxiliary) September 2009 Juan Jose Ryp

On Ebay: Spider-Man | No Hero
On AtomicAvenue: Spider-Man | No Hero

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Swamp Thing debuted in House of Secrets #92 and went on to become the most prominent swamp monster in the history of comics. The limited [print run: 2,000] auxiliary variant of No Hero #6 paid homage to this classic.

House of Secrets #92 July 1971 Bernie Wrightson

No Hero #6 (auxiliary) May 2009 Juan Jose Ryp

On Ebay: Swamp Thing | No Hero
On AtomicAvenue: Swamp Thing | No Hero

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Crisis on Infinite Earths was a milestone maxi-series for DC Comics that established the new order of their universe for the modern age. Issue #7 featured the death of Supergirl and told the origin of the Anti-Monitor. The limited [print run: 1,500] auxiliary variant of No Hero #5 paid homage to this classic.

Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 October 1985 George Pérez

No Hero #5 (auxiliary) April 2009 Juan Jose Ryp

On Ebay: Crisis | No Hero
On AtomicAvenue: Crisis | No Hero

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Zap put the underground comix movement on the map with the talents of Robert Crumb. The limited [print run: 2,000] auxiliary variant of No Hero #4 pays tribute to Zap #0.

Zap #0 October 1967 Robert Crumb

No Hero #4 (auxiliary) February 2009 Juan Jose Ryp

On Ebay: Zap | No Hero
On AtomicAvenue: Zap | No Hero

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Alan Moore’s Watchmen set the bar high for comics and ushered in an era of realism in superheroics. Its influence can still be seen in today’s comics. The limited [print run: 2,000] variant of No Hero #3 paid homage to this issue.

Watchmen #1 September 1986 Dave Gibbons

No Hero #3 (auxiliary) December 2008 Juan Jose Ryp

On Ebay: Watchmen | No Hero
On AtomicAvenue: Watchmen | No Hero

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

X-Men #100 featured a classic cover pitting the original X-Men against the new team. The limited [print run: 2,000] variant of No Hero #2 paid homage to this issue.

X-Men #100 August 1976 Dave Cockrum

No Hero #2 (auxiliary) October 2008 Juan Jose Ryp

On Ebay: X-Men | No Hero
On AtomicAvenue: X-Men | No Hero

After looking at hundreds of comic book covers, it becomes quickly apparent that not every cover is 100% original. Whether done intentionally or even underhandedly, there’s something about uncovering these “swipes” that adds a new element of fun to reading and collecting comics.

Captain America #109 recounted the origin story. The very limited [print run: 2,000] auxiliary variant of No Hero #1 pays homage to this classic cover.

Captain America #109 January 1969 Jack Kirby

No Hero #1 (auxiliary) September 2008 Juan Jose Ryp

On Ebay: Captain America | No Hero
On AtomicAvenue: Captain America | No Hero